Finally, after years of being shelved, the new Most Precious Blood album has dropped. Some of the finest metallic hardcore NYC has to offer. If you dig this, please support this band and buy a copy of the record at the link above.

First off, can you introduce yourself to the people who may not be familiar with who you are?

Stephen P. McCall

What band(s) are you currently involved with?

Creatures.

Could you give us a little description on the sound of Creatures?

I'm uncertain as to how I should answer, but we draw influence from Slayer, Integrity, Unleashed, Ringworm, In Cold Blood and many others.

How did the band start up?

It depends how you look at it. There have been several stages/chapters of Creatures. I don't think Creatures was really born until Kyle began to play guitar for us, when the split with Downpresser was written. However, I don't think Creatures grew into a cohesive unit until we wrote and recorded Salvation.

What is the extent of your discography so far?

We released a demo in 2007, followed by a self titled 7" that was released at Sound and Fury in 2008 by Bob Shedd and Todd Jones, whom I owe a million thanks to. In January of 2009 we released a split 7" with Downpresser on Fineprint Records. In the summer of 2009 we released our first full length, "I, Lucifer" on Eulogy (CD) and Fineprint (vinyl). In May of 2010 we released a one-sided 7" titled "Salvation" which was released by Hellfish and Closed Casket Acitivities.

Last year you guys released a 7” entitled “Salvation” on Closed Casket Activities/Hellfish family, how do you feel about the songs on the 7”?

These are my two favorite recorded Creatures songs to date. They came at a perfect time when we were at a boiling point as a band. Endless amounts of tension and personal issues had plagued us, and we needed a way to release ourselves. These two songs sum up everything I was feeling when I was at my lowest, and it helped bring an inkling of clarity and stability to my life. I couldn't have asked for better people to work with - Michael (Hellfish) and Justin (Closed Casket Activities) helped us more than they know.

Last time I spoke with you, you mentioned you guys were in the process of writing a full length. Can you tell us a little about that release and what your plans are on releasing it (Label Wise)?

Yes, we are working on writing a new record. As of now, we have two songs completed, two additional songs that are near completion, and an additional four that are in their raw skeletal stages. It would be exceptional if we could complete the record and have it released this summer, but we are on our own time line. As for the label that will be releasing it, it is undecided. Eulogy recordings will not be releasing the next record.

Myspace2010Tracklist:1.It Ain't What It Used To be2.Guilt Trip3.Home Sweet Home4.Fortyfive5.Chutes And Ladders6.Awake In Dreams7.Welp...See You At 88.I Can't Stay Home9.Yesteryear10.You've Been Smoochin' Wit Everybody!11.Sleep Tight12.The Good Old Days

Thursday, January 20, 2011

So I saw you just got back from doing a Euro tour with your band Downpresser, how did that go?

It was incredible. Above and beyond what we could have expected. The dudes from Cornered are awesome and it was a pleasure playing with them every night. Almost every night kids were pitting and singing along. It was an amazing experience.

What was your favorite gig of the tour?

Vienna, probably. Leeds was awesome too. Some of the Germany shows were wild too.

Since Downpresser is now doing more shows is that a sign that new material is in the works?

Haha, well that's a complicated question. We've been working on new material for a while, but it's difficult as most of us are up in Santa Barbara/Ventura counties, and our drummer is down in Orange County. Practicing is complicated. But we are aiming to record our LP by April at the latest.

If so, is there any idea on what label will be releasing it or is that still completely up in the air?

We'll have to wait and see.

You also play bass for the band Minus, can you tell us a little about that project?

Minus started as an idea between a few of our friends to have just a straight up hardcore band. Violation was winding down, so Derek (drums) had a lot of creative energy that needed to be channeled into something. He wrote the entire demo, and we recorded it and went from there. The newer stuff is a combination of our guitar player Austin and Derek writing.

What does the term “Hard Feelings” mean to you?

It could go a few different ways. I came up with the idea and kind of wanted to use it for Downpresser, but it fit the vibe of Minus way more. Travis wrote the lyrics to the title track, which pretty much defines what the term means for me. You'll have to listen to the record and let me know what you think.

Any touring plans in the works for Minus?

Plenty. Watch out.

As many know, Violation is from the same area as you guys. From your knowledge, will we ever see them play another gig?

I sincerely doubt it. It's funny, I get asked this question pretty regularly and I never really know what to say. They never did a last show or announced to anybody that they were breaking up, but that's essentially what they did. Many members don't stay in touch anymore, and as far as I'm concerned, they're completely defunct. I'm pretty sure any member of the band would tell you the same thing.

Aside from Violation, do you feel there are any other bands that should reunite and reignite the flame they once had?

Reunions are tricky. It kind of depends on the band and where they're at individually and as a group. To answer your question, yeah, there are plenty of bands I'd like to see play again. But that doesn't mean it's always a good idea.

What are some 2011 releases you’re looking forward to?

I'm still catching up on 2010! Such a huge year for hardcore. Hopefully 2011 will be even better.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Can you introduce yourself to people who may not know who Marty Williams is?

I'm 21 years old. I'm straight edge. Not once have I ever drank, smoked, or done drugs cause all that is bullshit. I live with the man who was born to mosh, Keith Gallagher. I major in civil engineering at Drexel University in Philly. I used to have a dog named Max and a cats named Marmalade, Renfield, Mikey, Bud, Cheetah, and Omar. I enjoy candlelit dinners and long walks on the beach.

What bands are you currently involved with?

I sing in Agitator and play bass in Burdens.

Agitator recently signed to Six Feet Under Records, what are your plans with them (record/touring wise)?

We're writing songs for a 7" right now. We have one completely done and the guitar parts for the others, we just need to put it all together. We're doing a weekend to Canada with Wrong Answer in February. Besides that we don't have any real plans. We can't do an extended tour because of school and work, so we're trying to do as many weekends as we can.

You guys just finished up a tour with the band Wrong Answer, how was that?

The tour was awesome. Out of 14 shows only two weren't that good which I think is really good especially since it's our first tour. It was awesome to go far from home and have people excited to see us and actually know the songs.

What was the most memorable show out of the tour?

The show in Monterrey, Mexico was definitely the most memorable. Taking a bus into a country that doesn't share your language is pretty wild. We got taken off the bus at a military checkpoint because we didn't have the right permission papers to be in the country. Nobody spoke Spanish but eventually we were able to figure out that we had to find a way back to the border. We walked to the other side of the checkpoint up to a sandbag bunker with guys holding mounted machine guns and grenade launchers. From there we bribed a bus driver with $4 to take us back to the border. We got the papers we needed then got on another bus back towards Monterrey. After that there were no problems and Mito picked us up at the bus station and fed us. The show was awkward cause nobody knew Wrong Answer or Agitator and most people couldn't understand what we were saying but the experience of playing in Mexico was definitely worth the trip. We were able to break even on the bus tickets by selling shirts and records. It was weird to charge 120 pesos for a shirt.

What does the phrase “Embrace Hate” mean to you?

Ever since I was a little kid I've been incredibly pessimistic. I've never been able to see the positive side of things and I don't see that changing anytime soon. So instead of trying to bullshit myself and tell myself I'm happy, I figure it's better to just embrace the hate.

Harvcore Records basically introduced you guys to the world, how do you feel able the people behind Harvcore?

At first I just thought Vince was just this weird old dude who would bring his entire family to local hardcore shows. Once I actually met him and his family I realized they're all pretty awesome. He has a real job and a life outside of hardcore and even at 40 he still makes time to go to shows. I hope when I'm his age I'm still keeping it real.

You guys were one of the first bands to play TIH last year, how do you feel about the large reaction you guys received?

I was blown away by that. I thought only our friends would be moshing, so for that many people who I've never seen before to be going off for my band was awesome. Getting to jump on the people up front was the best part for me.

Any plans in the works to play TIH or any other fests this year?

At this point we haven't been asked to play any fests, but I definitely would like to. Playing This is Hardcore was one of the best experiences of my life, so I would love to play again this year. I want to play Sound & Fury but I guess that's not really up to me. Since we can't tour that would be our best chance of ever playing on the west coast.

Now onto your other band Burdens, you guys are releasing a new 7” on Harvcore Records called “You Can't Save Us All” can you tell us a little about that release?

It's pretty different from the other stuff we've done. I think these are the best songs we've put out. This 7" has more of a punk feel than the older stuff, but we are still heavily rooted in metal.

Any touring plans in the works for Burdens or is that project staying local for the most part?

They just did a weekend without me while Agitator was on tour. I know we all want to tour and we did a two week tour last winter. The plans this winter fell apart. Right after Christmas is the only time of year I can tour, so if Burdens does anything longer than a weekend this summer it will likely be without me.

What are some new releases you’re looking forward to listening to?

Mother of Mercy's record is finally going to come out soon and that's something I've been waiting to hear for a long time. Lifeless recorded a full length for Harvcore Records that I want to hear pretty bad. I'm excited for the new Bayside album in February too, and if Dre ever drops Detox I'd be thrilled.

An earlier and also very awesome EP from UK chaotic hardcore exports Bastions. You can purchase the EP online at the link above if you dig it, and be on the look out for this band's debut LP in the first half of 2011. Thanks to Music Approved By A Banana for the original link.

The 5th annual RAIN FEST will take place May 27, 28, and 29 at NEUMOS in Seattle, Wa.

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT – January 15th

ALL TEETH

...ANOTHER BREATH

DEVOTION

FIGURE FOUR

GRAVE MAKER

MADBALL

MAKE DO AND MEND

MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

NAILS

OBLIVION

ROTTING OUT

RUCKUS

RUN WITH THE HUNTED

SUPERTOUCH

TRIAL

This year we are excited to partner with our friends PANIC RECORDS. Friday will be the first annual Panic Records Showcase featuring bands from the Panic Family. More details will follow as our full lineup is announced.

Our second announcement will be February 15th, stay tuned!

About the Venue:

NEUMOS925 E. Pike St.Seattle, WA 98122

With the Viaduct closing down we had to find a new spot to host Rain Fest 2011. We discussed many options and Neumos came out on top by a long shot. There will be all ages re-entry UNTIL 9PM, after that time there will be only re-entry for those 21+. If any of you were at or have watched the Trial DVD from 2005 then you will know what Neumos is like. Neumos is in the heart of Capital Hill, great location, great venue. We couldn't be happier about this venue hosting Rain Fest. Be respectful to everyone working. Don't be shitheads and fuck up a good thing!

The DVD from last year is being worked on. It is a process and will take some time so just be patient and bear with us.

Tickets this year will be going on sale TUESDAY JANUARY 25TH. A link will be provided as soon as they are up for sale.$65 for a 3 day pass, $22/$28 for the individual days. The price goes up after the 2nd band so get there early and support NWHC!

Expire is a hardcore band drawing influences mostly from NYHC bands but with a lot of other stuff thrown in. It's got a groove that you can definitely bang your head to.

Before Expire you were the front man for the band Barriers Now Bridges, how would you describe your time with that band?

That band was a coming of age thing for me. I learned a lot about about what it meant to play hardcore music and to be a part of something so unique. I also discovered the joys of touring with that band. It's nice to find little remnants all over the US from tours we did and to still have some of the friends I made back then.

How long after your move to the Midwest did you decided you wanted to start another band?I always wanted to start another band, the opportunity just never arose. It was a little over 2 years since BNB when I came to Milwaukee. About 6 months after that I tried out for Expire.

When you started the band did you start it with the intention of becoming a Trend god?

I didn't start the band, I joined after the all the music for the demo was written. They had no idea that the world was about to follow in our footsteps.

Does it make you happy to wake up every morning knowing you are at the forefront of the “Trendy” Hardcore scene?

I guess it depends on who I'm waking up to? If you catch my drift..

Besides signing a Nike deal, what are your plans for 2011 with the band?

We've got a lot of shoes to break in, but after that we're still planning on being the busy touring band we've always been. We've got plans for Canada, and the full US in the works right now, and maybe even Europe down the road. This summer we're planning on writing a full length, so look for that later on in the year.

Are there any more Hatebreed covers in the works?

The idea is ALWAYS there.

Did Ben & Jerry’s come to you about creating a new flavor for an undisclosed lump of money or was that your idea?

It was ours. We pitched them Navy Blue or Blackberry and they just couldn't say no.

What are some bands from your area people should stop sleeping on?

FocusedxMinds, Agress, Former Thieves, Rattletooth, Everything Went Black, Ritual Form, Bent Life and Life Won't Wait.

Also check out Weight Of The World, a couple of the dudes from BNB's latest project.

Any 2011 releases you’re looking forward to?

New Mother Of Mercy, FocusedxMinds, Harm's Way, Soul Search and Foundation for sure. Anything 6131 puts out on that vinyl subscription will be tight.

And finally, do you have any other comments/shout outs?

I feel like we should be best friends? Do you feel that? That chemistry we have? I don't know.

Shout outs to Mike over at Hellfish, Joey at 6131, Dave and Nicole at SFU and our RSN Dom.

2011
Tracklist:
1.Kill My Compass
2.Living
3.Last Days Of Rome
4.Gray-Colored Glasses
5.Death Means Nothing To Men Like MeGet It Now (New Link)Buy It

Requested. New EP from long island pop punk band Daytrader, featuring ex members of Bridge And Tunnel, Latterman and Crime In Stereo. If you are into it make sure to check the link to buy it at run for cover up above.